In his keynote speech, Mr. Chinh said Vietnam has an opportunity to develop strongly based on national synergy, fortune, potential, position, and prestige after 35 years of renewal.
He said this is the time to test the courage, creativity, and adaptability of the Government and business community in overcoming difficulties in order to harmonize benefits and share risks.
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, who co-chaired the high-level session at the VBF, said that last year Vietnam achieved significant results.
The macro-economy remained stable with inflation under control. Import-export turnover increased 22.6% to a record 670 billion USD, making Vietnam one of the 20 largest traders in the world. FDI attraction grew 9.2%.
Vietnam is now one of six countries with the highest coverage of COVID-19 vaccination in the world. Last October it changed its COVID-19 strategy to safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the pandemic in order to facilitate socio-economic recovery.
Prime Minister Chinh underscored the need to effectively coordinate the economic recovery and development program with the COVID-19 prevention and control program and vaccination campaign.
He said Vietnam needs, at the same time, to continue to stabilize the macroeconomy, improve the business and investment environment, develop the digital economy, digital society, and circular economy, and adapt to climate change.
According to Mr. Chinh, Vietnam will focus on restoring supply chains, ensuring the circulation of goods, and stabilizing energy sources to ensure safe, smooth production and business activities in the new normal period.
He said priority will be given to simplifying administrative procedures and removing obstacles in tax, credit, human resource, and infrastructure mechanisms and policies.
The VBF was jointly organized by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the Vietnam Business Forum Alliance. It is an on-going policy dialogue channel since 1997 between the Government of Vietnam and the business community.